Qualitatively, a reduction of the inferior turbinate in humans improves breathing comfort through the nasal passageway. The goals of this study were to quantify the improvement of airflow due to the surgery on the inferior turbinate and determine if turbulence exists in the nasal passage. The flow of water through 2X scale models, one with and one without a partial inferior turbinectomy, was controlled in order to compare the pressure drop over a range of physiological flow rates through the cavities. Dye was injected for flow visualization, to determine if and where turbulent versus laminar flow occurs in each model. This study will help surgeons determine the effectiveness of the procedure and the appropriate level or turbinate removal.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Learned, Amanda J.
• Miczek, Sarah C.
• Salib, Mina Gerges

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 05E002M

Advisor

• Savilonis, Brian James
• Wilcox, Jennifer L.

Year

• 2005

Date created

• 2005-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright